NishiNippon.co.jp (translation by Yakyubaka.com) is reporting that Anthony Lerew is close to inking a deal to head to Japan. The 28-year-old will reportedly make $50 million yen for one season as Sponichi reveals. In other words, Lerew will make a shade under $600,000.

Lerew was drafted by the Braves in 2001 and had cups of coffee as a 22- 23- and 24-year-old before spending all of 2008 in the minors. He joined the Royals (surprise, surprise) and made eight starts for K.C. over the last two seasons. While his 2009 portended some promise, he got his braines beat in during 2010 despite improved K/BB numbers.

Lerew had inked with the Athletics on a minor-league deal before choosing to pursue opportunties in Japan.

Quentin hit two homers, including a grand slam, in the first five innings of Saturday's game against the Royals. He has 10 multi-homer games in his career, and three of them have come in the past four games.

Quentin's first homer came as the White Sox absolutely unloaded on Royals spot starter Anthony Lerew, who stepped in when defending Cy Young winner Zach Grienke was a late scratch with shoulder stiffness.

Chicago hit four homers in a seven-run third inning against Lerew: a two-run shot by Alex Rios, a Quentin solo homer, a three-run shot by Andruw Jones (his 400th career homer) and a solo shot by Dayan Viciedo.

Royals right-handed starter Luke Hochevar, who sprained his elbow in his last start, was put on the disabled list Wednesday. The move was retroactive to June 12, and the Royals hope he'll miss only two starts.

Right-hander Anthony Lerew was brought up from triple-A Omaha and will start in Larew's spot Thursday against the Astros. Larew was 5-3 with a 2.84 ERA for Omaha. To make room for Larew on the 40-man roster, the Royals put left-hander John Parrish on release waivers.

Hochevar is 5-4 in 13 starts with a 4.96 ERA.

-- David Andriesen For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.